Taxonomy

About this species

A solitary palm recently discovered on Biak Island in Indonesia, Adonidia maturbongsii is named in honour of Rudi Maturbongs (Universitas Negeri Papua), who collected the first herbarium specimens of the species, in recognition of his contributions to the study of palms in Biak.

Known locally as manjek, this palm was described by Kew scientist William Baker and Charlie Heatubun (Universitas Papua, Indonesia) in 2012.

Genus:

Adonidia

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Geography and distribution

Adonidia maturbongsii is restricted to Biak Island (Papua, Indonesia), where it has been found at 80–170 m above sea level.

Adonidia maturbongsii fruits

Description

Leaves: Forming a crown of about ten arching leaves. Sheath up to 70 cm long, pale, dull green forming crownshaft (conspicuous cylinder formed by tubular leaf sheaths at the top of the stem) up to 90 cm long. Petiole (leaf stalk) up to 45 cm long. Each leaf divided into 25–30 pairs of leaflets. Leaflets are borne in a single plane and are broad and pendulous with wide concave tips.

Kew Science Editor: William BakerCopyediting: Emma TredwellKew would like to thank the following contributors: Charlie Heatubun (Universitas Papua, Indonesia)

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